Public discussion on rehabilitation and resettlement of Chadong village held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 23 2016: A public discussion on the process of rehabilitation and resettlement for affected villagers of Chadong village was held at Wunghon village community hall near Yaingangpokpi today.

Held under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee on Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Chadong Village, the discussion resolved to seek appointment with the Chief Minister for early settlement of Mapithel dam related issues.

The meeting that was attended by a large number of villagers also re-affirmed their earlier resolution to support and endorse the JAC to represent the affected/displaced villagers of Chadong.

new area for resettlement of chadong villagers

The meeting unanimously agreed to launch different forms of agitation in case their demands are not met by the end of this year.

The meeting also decided to boycott representation of the affected villagers by any other organizations.

Since Mapithel Dam water was blocked last year, most parts of Chadong village have been submerged in water displacing many villagers.

Water from the Thoubal river has inundated all farmlands, residential areas, forest and private lands which belong to residents of Chadong.

Relief packages provided by the State Government have failed to reach the affected villagers and it has created discontentment among the villagers, Khongthangba Kasar a resident of the village said.

Although promises of rehabilitation and resettlement was made before the construction of the dam, none of the promises have been fulfilled, he lamented while alleging that the plight of Chadong villagers are being ignored by the State Govt.With no permanent settlement provided yet, native festivals are becoming a story of the past.

The displaced villagers have not celebrated any forms of festivals like Lui-Ngai-Ni, Christmas, Mangkhap (seed sowing festival) and Dhareo (new harvest festival), he added.

According to Rockson Kashung, secretary of the JAC, the new settlement area selected by the State Govt has no basic amenities nor proper transportation facilities.

About 500 households of Chadong village were displaced by the artificial flood of Thoubal Multipurpose project but the resettlement site has space for only 250 households.

With no school, potable watersupply, electricity and healthcare services, people are reluctant to live in the new area, Rockson added.

With little or no transportation facilities available, any emergency cases could lead to disastrous consequences.

Villagers are mentally, emotionally and morally tormented by the indifferent attitude of the concerned agencies and authorities, he said.

He urged the State Govt to take up prompt steps to provide all necessary rehabili- tation and resettlement packages to the affected villagers.